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Miles Morgan: ‘Vast majority’ going ahead with travel plans despite coronavirus
South-west and Wales agency boss Miles Morgan has said that the “vast majority” of holidaymakers are carrying on with their travel plans, despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
Morgan appeared on a BBC News coronavirus special on Monday evening (2 March) alongside Independent travel correspondent Simon Calder, broadcasting from Miles Morgan Travel in Taunton.
Quizzed by a BBC News correspondent on what the impact of the coronavirus outbreak has been on clients and how Miles Morgan Travel is reassuring customers, Morgan said it was all a matter of perspective.
“I think it’s no surprise our shops have been inundated with people coming in asking questions,” he said. “It’s quite comforting they can sit down in a travel agency, and talk through what the options are.
“I’m pleased to say the vast majority, over 99% of people, are just carrying on as normal with their holidays, which is absolutely right.
“It’s a perspective. It’s a matter of looking at just how many people are affected and the areas that are affected. In the [grand] scheme of the world, it’s still very, very small numbers of people and areas [that are affected]."
Calder, meanwhile, reiterated the latest Foreign Office travel advice on coronavirus. “The only areas off limits are mainland China – that came in about three weeks ago; two regions of South Korea; and 11 towns in northern Italy, and they’re not places where any tourist would normally find themselves.
“Everywhere else, according to the Foreign Office, the risks are tolerably low, although I know there are huge amounts of stress and anxiety out there – people whose anticipation of their holiday has just turned into apprehension.”
Morgan was lauded for inviting the cameras in and for his reassuring turn. “Well done @MMTMan,” tweeted Beachcomber UK manager Sarah Archer. “Good sense talked and let’s hope people listen.”
Well done @MMTMan. Good sense talked & let's hope people listen. https://t.co/YKREIBNFKD P.S. great shot of our lovely Mauritius brochure over your left shoulder. \uD83D\uDE09
— Sarah Archer \uD83C\uDDEA\uD83C\uDDFA \uD83C\uDDF2\uD83C\uDDFA \uD83C\uDDEC\uD83C\uDDE7 (@justarcher03) March 2, 2020
David Winterton, director of marketing and global brand at Emerald Cruises, said: “Well done Miles and @MilesMorganNews Taunton for putting a real perspective forward for the travel industry, on @BBCOne just now.”
Well done Miles and @MilesMorganNews Taunton for putting a real perspective forward for the travel industry, on @BBCOne just now. pic.twitter.com/WAxweGTKxz
— David Winterton (@wintertonsworld) March 2, 2020
Kuoni head of communications Rachel O’Reilly added: “Doing a brilliant job to reassure travellers tonight on BBC News @SimonCalder and @MMTMan. You were both excellent.”
Doing a brilliant job to reassure travellers tonight on BBC news @SimonCalder and @MMTMan you were both excellent - and Miles your shopper looked ace!
— rachel o'reilly (@rorpr) March 2, 2020
James Chapple
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